#SeasonalSonnets: 26th Dec.

Hello my lovely readers!

Tonight's #SeasonalSonnets entry is a musing on what Boxing Day means. There are many different theories, the most prevalent being that it refers to the boxes of gifts traditionally given to servants by their employers on this, their day off after the business and busyness of Christmas Day. Whatever its historical basis, it's now more about the sales, and this naturally got the socialist in me thinking about how nice it would be if we could reclaim the gift-giving sense of the day (though definitely not the power hierarchies and servitude!).

In fact, we have so much left over food that we were trying to conjure up a way of giving some to people who might need it (especially because, as a vegetarian, I didn't have any of the bird). Alas, I'm aware food banks only take non-perishable items, so we'll continue to plough our way through the festive fare - and donate some other things instead. I'm also going to give an amount to the Trussel Trust.

I hope everyone has had a lovely day and that you enjoy this little offering - I'll be back with another tomorrow (we're on the home stretch now, I promise!)

Jx

26^th December

The 26^th December’s about boxes,

‘though just what kind of boxes, no-one knows –

this is a festive question that still foxes

and keeps many a great thinker on their toes.

T’popular claim is that it might refer

to presents that ‘great’ families gave their staff

since, Christmas o’er, th’exhausted servants were

at last – for once! – permitted a day off.

These days, of course, it’s more about the sales

and just how many bargains we can hire*

but I prefer to ponder on the tales

these rare family reunions might’ve inspired.

And so, today, I’ve thought ‘What can I give?’

and pondered how best t’help those who don’t have.

 

*'Hire' was mostly just a convenient rhyme, but it's also a slight nod to the fact that a lot of things bought today probably get returned!

Copyright Jessi Parrott December 2016

#SeasonalSonnets: 25th Dec.

Hello my lovely readers!

Today's #SeasonalSonnets entry came about as a result of a thought that struck me last night - the celebration of Christmas essentially revolves around a Middle Eastern family who, as a result of an arbitrary govermental registration process, were forced to travel a great distance. When they arrived at the destination, none of the townspeople were prepared to offer them shelter, and they were left with no option but a stable. This rendered them displaced persons, if not quite refugees - but I would then argue that their refugee status was cemented by the events which followed, since Herod wanted to kill their son.

These elements of the Nativity story seem to me to be particularly pertinent to the current state of global politics, so I wanted to write something to reflect that.

Wherever you are, whoever you're with and whatever you're doing, I hope you're having a happy and safe day. I'd just ask, in the midst of the present opening, the jokes and the feasting (whether meat, vegetarian or vegan!), you take a moment to think on the reason for today's festival and to consider those who are having a more difficult day - both around the world and closer to home. Christmas is lovely, but it's also hard - and I think that its origin story is a reminder of that bittersweetness.

UK-based friends, if you, too, are struck by the aspects of today that inspired my sonnet, you may be interested to watch Brendan Cox's Alternative Message at 2pm on Channel Four.

Love

Jx

25^th December

All those for whom today is known as ‘Christmas’

as you sit with friends and family ‘round the tree,

take some time in your nostalgic reminiscence –

spare a thought for Middle Eastern refugees.

For that’s really what this day is all about –

two parents’ treacherous trip to Bethlehem

and the townspeople who left them standing out

because there was ‘no room’ to let them in.

Yet just one kindly couple lent a stable,

where soon their son was born upon a manger,

and there the two new parents were then able

to keep their precious boy well-hid from danger.

And so, whilst you enjoy your celebrations,

remember it’s the result of a migration. 

Copyright Jessi Parrott December 2016

#SeasonalSonnets: 24th Dec.

Hello my lovely readers!

This evening's #SeasonalSonnets entry is in celebration of the first night of Chanukah. As I said in the post that began this poetic venture, our household is very much an interfaith one, since between us we have backgrounds in both Christianity and Judaism (as well as a profound interest in other faiths). Consequently, around this time of year, we always mark a combination of the points of importance in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

However, we have not previously gone through the ceremony of lighting the Chanukiah each night, although we have always wanted to do so. This year, we decided to change that, because we all feel that 2016 could do with as much light as possible to fend off the swathes of darkness that have pervaded it so far. Moreover, in the face of increased intolerance, it seems more important than ever to assert pride in our heritages and to encourage others to do the same - and the fact that Christmas and Chanukah cross over this year seemed too much of a happy coincidence to pass up.

So, below, you may find my sonnet accompanied by a picture of our family Chanukiah - which, even more serendipitously for our particular circumstances, is a beaded hippo made in South Africa!

I hope you enjoy both the poem and the picture - and, if you are also celebrating tonight, have a happy and safe time. Let's all spread love, light, and tolerance.

Jx

24^th December

Although today for many’s Christmas Eve,

it’s also the first night of Chanukah,

which means, this year, whatever we believe,

two festivals of light are brought together.

The timing of this pairing seems quite apt –

since 2016’s been rather full of turmoil –

we need all of the reminders we can get

of the universe’s size, to keep us humble.

That’s not to say I think we’re unimportant

(no! rather just the opposite, in fact)

but that we must remember what is pertinent,

and keep our best humanity intact.

For as long as there are candles, there is light,

and we can keep compassion burning bright.

 

 

Photo Credit Bev Chambers

#SeasonalSonnets: 23rd Dec.

Hello my lovely readers!

Tonight's #SeasonalSonnets entry was inspired by Tom Fletcher's relatively new novel, The Christmasaurus. Consequently, this post and my poem both contain a few spoilers (so stop reading now if that's an issue), but they're minor, mostly incidental to the plot (more on that later) and fairly highly publicised already.

~~~~~~~

Technically, it's a kids' book, but that's why I'm writing about it - it's the sort of book I always wanted to read as a kid. The thing is, the main character (William Trundle), is a wheelchair user. He's also hilarious, gets in all sorts of scrapes, and befriends a dinosaur - the titular Christmasaurus. This is what makes the story so special - the fact that William uses a wheelchair is central to the plot (and the story deals very sensitively with issues around disability in order to raise awareness) but his wheelchair is presented in an extremely positive manner, and as something that he (and others should celebrate.

My bookish and wheely ten-year-old self was always desperate for a story like this (with a character like me!) but I never had it. I was therefore delighted when I discovered that the book was in the works, because it meant that young wheelchair users would finally have a character with whom they could identify. Naturally, despite being twenty-four when it was published, I had to read it too - and I can say without the slightest bit of shame that I literally cried tears of joy. 

It's a truly wonderful book, and I'd recommend it to everyone. To my fellow wheely friends who also want character representation, to parents who want to instil disability pride in their kids, and to anyone who cares about disability awareness and diverse representation in literature and media - which brings me to the reason I'm posting about it tonight.

Even before publication, the rights were sold for it to become an animated film. Recently, however, it was also announced that it's been adapted into a musical, and we got a sneak preview on the Royal Variety Show. Being the keen bean that I am, I'd already got tickets, but having watched the snippet from the Variety performance I got even more excited, because it seems that the character of William will be performed by young actors who use wheelchairs - so now I can use it as a positive example of casting for my PhD! Whoop!

Now I just have to wait 365 days (until the 23rd December 2017) to watch it...!

But hey, I've waited my entire life for a book character like William, so another year shouldn't be too difficult.

If you've made it this far in this post, I thank (and salute!) you. In case it's not clear enough how much I loved this book, I'll leave you with my sonnet as a promise you will too!

23^rd December

Tonight I’m writing of ‘The Christmasaurus’

a new festive novel, written by Tom Fletcher,

which gives much-needed representation for us

‘kids’ who’ve waited years t’identify with characters.

For William, the protagonist, surname’s Trundle

(a perfect name for someone in a chair!)

and t’tale tells of his adventures by the bundle –

which include riding a dino through th’air!

And though I bought it at age twenty-four,

I did so for my younger self, aged ten,

and all the books she read whilst longing for

someone like her who’d, from their pages, spring.

I’m so thrilled that the next generation

now has this book t’feed their ‘maginations.

Copyright Jessi Parrott December 2016